The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization Afenifere has strongly condemned the disturbing demands by bandits and kidnappers for virgins and hard drugs as ransom for abducted victims.
In a press release on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Comrade Jare Ajayi highlighted the escalating insecurity across several states, particularly in South-Western Nigeria. The statement decried the wave of violent incursions, attacks on communities, and abductions.
“The greatest demonstration of the heartlessness of these evil-doers was their demands for N1.5 million, Indian hemp, cocaine, a synthetic drug known as ICE, and cartons of canned beer for the release of a corpse in their captivity,” the statement read.
Ajayi added that in a shocking twist, the kidnappers even demanded virgins in exchange for four men previously abducted. He urged governments at all levels and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the country from this insecurity.
The statement recounted the barbaric treatment of victims, including merciless beatings and humiliation, noting that some lose their lives even after ransom is paid. Ajayi cited numerous incidents, including attacks on churches, police stations, individual homes, and highways. He specifically mentioned:
- Sacking of communities in Kwara State;
- Killings of farmers and attacks on travellers along the Igbeti-Kisi road in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State;
- Kidnap cases in Ekiti State Akure, Ondo State governor of Ebonyi State Abuja, robbing and abducting residents.
Ajayi further reported that similar attacks have occurred in Kwara, with returning refugees from Cameroon also falling victim in Bauchi State. He recounted a case in Edo State Bola Tinubu for his determination in advancing state police and for calling on the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments. The organisation also praised the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, for inaugurating a committee to determine the modalities for state police deployment.
The group reiterated its call for South-West governors to raid bandits’ hideouts, maintain constant surveillance of vulnerable areas, and cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure the swift establishment of state police in their states.